You’ve probably heard of money plants before, even if you aren’t sure exactly what they are! Money plants are typically small wetland trees or plants that are easy to care for and beautiful to look at.
There is not just one money plant; in fact, there are many types of money plants! These plants all have different names and appearances, but they all have one big thing in common.
Money plants are said to bring you good fortune, prosperity, and financial wealth. The legend of the money plant originated in China, where legend says a man prayed to become rich and accomplished his goal by growing several trees from the original money plant. They are also connected to the ancient Chinese art of feng shui.
Types of Money Plants to Bring Wealth & Luck Into Your Home
Whether you are a plant enthusiast looking for a beautiful addition to your collection or hoping for a money plant to bring you good luck, you are in the right place! We will be reviewing the different types of money plants you can buy to usher wealth and good luck into your living space.
Let’s begin with the most common types of money plants! These are the houseplants that you are most likely to find in greenhouses or plant nurseries near you.
Common Money Plants
- Chinese Money Plant, or the Pilea Peperomioides
The Chinese Money Plant is an evergreen perennial plant with circular leaves and long stems native to southern China. It is one of the most popular houseplants today, both for the good fortune it brings and the ease of care it requires.
- Rubber Plant, or the Ficus Elastica.
The Rubber Plant is native to South Asia and known for the flowering pattern of their spiky leaves as well as their positive reputation as an ornamental plant. This plant has been naturalized in places like Sri Lanka and the U.S. state of Florida, making it a popular international houseplant.
- Golden Pothos, or the Epipremnum Aureum.
Golden Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is native to French Polynesia and known for the unique color pattern on its leaves. It is known for being a relatively low-maintenance houseplant, making it a perfect choice for anyone who needs to bring in a bit of luck to their home.
- Jade Plant, or the Crassula Ovata
The Jade Plant is a succulent plant native to South Africa that flowers with beautiful small pink and white blooms, making it a very popular decorative plant. They require very little care, including waterings, which lets them flourish in almost all inroo settings.
- Swiss Cheese Money Plant, or the monstera adansonii
The Swiss Cheese Money Plant gets its name from the iconic and organized holes that develop in its heart-shaped leaves. This tropical plant is native to Central and South America and flourishes in high temperature and high humidity conditions.
- Lucky Bamboo, or the dracaena sanderiana.
The Lucky Bamboo plant is native to Central Africa and known for its combination of small green bamboo shoots and vertically-growing leaves. It is actually not a bamboo plant, but a part of the dracaena genus and can grow up to three feet tall in the home.
These are the most common money plants because they are easy to care for and can be cultivated in greenhouses and plant nurseries around the world!
Less Common (But Still Beautiful) Money Plants
Now we will review some of the more rare types of money plants. These plants are less common but still very beautiful and highly sought after by plant owners!
- Pachira Aquatica, also known as the Money Tree
The Pachira Aquatica is also known as the Guiana Chestnut or the Money Tree. This one is a money plant because it represents the energy of all of the elements: wind, fire, water, earth, and air.
This is very important because of the Chinese understanding of Qi, meaning balance. When Qi is balanced, you will experience good fortune and power. The braided pattern of the bark of the money tree represents this balance.
- Silver Dollar Vine, or the xerosicyos danguyi
The Silver Dollar Vine is a gorgeous plant with iconic round and gray-tinged succulent leaves. It is native to Madagascar, giving it the rare status that makes it stand out among plant enthusiasts all over the world.
- Marble Money Plant
The Marble Money Plant gets its name from the marbled pattern on its leaves, with small white swirls over the green surface. This plant is one of the rare varieties of money plant, growing primarily in Moorea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia.
These are just a few examples of the less common but highly sought-after money plants! They primarily grow in smaller locations and cannot be reliably cultivated elsewhere, making them rare finds with good reputations for bringing in luck and prosperity.
Now that you know a little bit more about the different types of money plants, you should go out and get one yourself! Of course, the process does not end there; the placement of the plant in your home should abide by feng shui according to tradition.
Where Should Money Plants Be Kept in the Home According to Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is a traditional Chinese practice that utilizes the energy forces of different objects and individuals to find harmony in the surrounding environment.
Today, practitioners of feng shui always try to arrange the objects in their living spaces in a way that creates balance with the natural world and does not disrupt the flow of energy in the room.
Since the legend of money plants originated from China, using feng shui to guide the placement of your money plant makes sense.
According to traditional feng shui, the best locations in your home for money plants will be the Southeast corners of your office or living room, as well as the Southernmost point of your individual room.
This is because the southeastern direction in Chinese belief is connected to the element of wood, which represents growth and stability. Money plants should be kept in the southeast corner of the place in your home most connected to wealth. For many people, this is their home office or creative space.
You can also place a money plant in your individual bedroom, using the southern or southeastern corner. This represents bringing fortune and prosperity to your personal life and ambitions as opposed to your career and salary. Putting your money plant in front of a corner also represents getting rid of stress or anxiety.
Essentially, all types of money plants should be kept in the southeastern corner of their rooms! These rooms can either be your personal bedroom, home office, or living room. You can even bring a money plant to work with you if you wish! By placing them according to feng shui, you heighten the luck of the plants.
Money Plant Care & FAQs
Finally, we will cover together some of the most frequently asked questions about money plants. It is common for new or prospective owners to be a bit confused since there are so many different types of money plants, care methods, and specific factors to keep in mind.
Q. Which is the Best Money Plant?
A very common question that fans of the money plant will ask is which one is actually the best. It is perfectly natural to ask this question; after all, if you are buying a plant that should bring luck, you are going to want the very best!
In actuality, there is no money plant that is better or luckier than the others. They all fall under the same category! Of course, there are definitely types of money plants that are bought and recommended much more than others. While this can give off the impression that some are luckier than others, it doesn’t have anything to do with the supernatural.
Money plants such as the Jade Money Plant are chosen so frequently because they are low-maintenance and easy to take care of. So, if you are looking for a money plant that will bring you good luck without needing to be taken care of constantly, a plant like the Jade Money Plant will be best for you.
Q. How Many Types of Money Trees Are There?
Another frequently asked question about money plants is exactly how many types there are. In order to be called a money plant or money tree, plants typically need to be smaller with round leaves that can resemble coins. Money plants are typically perennials, and can be either trailers or climbers.
Traditionally speaking, the nine types of money plants outlined in this article are the most frequently recognized types of money plants. Of these nine, the pachira aquatica and the Jade plant are the most common types of money plant.
Since the concept of a money plant originates from China, some plant enthusiasts believe that only plants such as the Chinese Money Plant or the Money Tree, which are native to China, should be recognized as money plants. However, others believe that as long as a plant meets the general requirements it can certainly be recognized as a type of money plant.
Q. Why is Pothos a Money Plant?
If we are using the definition of rounded leaves and small stature to describe money plants, you may be asking yourself why the Pothos made our list! After all, it has a more standard leaf shape and is often confused with the philodendron family/
To put it simply, the plant world at large recognizes the Golden Pothos as a money plant and has done so since it was first discovered in the 1800s. In the wild, it can grow up trees and all over valleys. However, when it is cultivated and becomes a smaller houseplant, it closely resembles more traditional money plants.
Many plants look very different growing in the wild than they do as houseplants! The Pothos is no exception. When properly cultivated and in a pot, it will be hard to tell this plant apart from other money plants!
Final Thoughts on Money Plants
Money plants are simple to care for and beautiful to look at! Their small stature make them easy decorations for any living space, and the legend associated with them makes them a fun purchase for any plant lover. Don’t be afraid to purchase one of these beautiful and lucky plants today!
